In the world of investing, there's a "risk and return" principle. Typically, investments like bonds offer lower risk, but less opportunity to earn return (sometimes they don't beat inflation, for example). On the flip side, investments like stocks usually have higher risks (as anyone invested during 2008 knows!), but greater odds for higher returns.
Financial planners often assess their clients' levels of "risk tolerance." So here's my question of the day: What kind of investor is God? What is His risk tolerance?
In today's passage, The Message includes "The Story About Investment" (commonly referenced as the Parable of the Talents). In the story, the Master gives three servants various amounts of money to invest while he is away. Two of the servants double their investments. The last servant buries the money in the ground because he was afraid to disappoint the master.
However, the master is absolutely furious with this decision. He says:
'That's a terrible way to live!
It's criminal to live cautiously like that!
If you knew I was after the best,
why did you do less than the least?
The least you could have done
would have been to invest the sum with the bankers,
where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
"'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most.
And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb.
Throw him out into utter darkness.'
Hmm...so it sounds like God definitely isn't a "play-it-safe" investor. But this passage is about so much more than money.
Most of this chapter talks about the coming of God's kingdom, what it will look like and how He will judge mankind. I believe this passage is talking about life (again!)--God is looking for people who live and give their best for Him. He's looking for people who don't just play it safe--but who are willing to take risks and step out on a limb for His purpose.
I've heard my pastor say it like this, "God went 'all in' for us--He wants wants us to live 'all out' for Him."
Tomorrow: Matthew 26
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